Now let’s dive into Friday’s Sweet 16 betting predictions, odds, picks, and more, including bets on the Creighton-Tennessee and Duke-Houston games.
For more college basketball picks and Sweet 16 betting predictions, make sure to check out our other college basketball articles and our college basketball betting tools!
Sweet 16 Betting Predictions, Odds, Picks & More: Friday
Creighton-Tennessee Sweet 16 Odds
Creighton: +124 | Tennessee: -148
Creighton +2.5: -110 | Tennessee -2.5: -110
Over 144.0: -110 | Under 144.0: -110
When: 10:20 p.m. ET
March Madness Odds via DraftKings
Creighton-Tennessee Picks & Sweet 16 Betting Prediction
Perhaps the top matchup of the Sweet 16, Creighton faces Tennessee after knocking off Akron and Oregon in their first two games. Similarly, Tennessee defeated Saint Peter’s and Texas to punch their ticket to the second weekend of March Madness. Overall, Creighton ranks 11th in adjusted offense and 29th on defense, while Tennessee comes in 35th on offense and third on defense.
One of the best offensive teams in the country, Creighton ranks third in effective field goal percentage, while Tennessee comes in 144th. The Blue Jays also rank third in interior scoring and 32nd from beyond the arc. Their big three in Baylor Scheierman, Trey Alexander, and Ryan Kalkbrenner account for most of this, while point guard Steven Ashworth has shown immense growth throughout the season.
Overall, Tennessee plays elite defense, ranking top 30 in both interior and perimeter defense. Creighton has shown the ability to score over some of the top defenses in the country with wins over Marquette and UConn during the regular season. They also rarely turn the ball over or foul, which allows them to play a shallow lineup through their stud starting five.
Conversely, Tennessee still has scoring concerns outside of Dalton Knecht. While Knecht shoots over 40% and can create a shot at any point, Tennessee still ranks 121st at interior scoring and 178th from three. Scoring against Creighton will be a particularly difficult challenge behind the rim protection of Kalkbrenner. The defensive player of the year in the Big East for the third time, Kalkbrenner also has one of the lowest foul rates in the country. With Creighton also getting excellent minutes from Alexander and Scheierman on defense, the Bluejays come into this game underrated.
Best March Madness Pick & Prediction: Creighton +1.5 (-112) at DraftKings
Duke-Houston Sweet 16 Odds
Duke: +160 | Houston: -192
Duke: +4: -112 | Houston: -4: -108
Over 134.5: -108 | Under 134.5: -112
When: 9:40 p.m. ET
March Madness Odds via DraftKings
Duke-Houston Picks & Sweet 16 Betting Prediction
After exiting the ACC Tournament prematurely at the hands of NC State, Duke defeated Vermont and James Madison to punch their ticket to the Sweet 16. On the other side, Houston defeated Longwood and narrowly beat Texas A&M to also reach the second weekend. Currently, Duke ranks eighth in adjusted offense and 23rd on defense. Houston comes in 13th on offense and first on defense.
Despite reaching this point as a one-seed, Houston brings significant concerns. First, this Houston team continues to battle injury in the frontcourt. The Cougars lost Joseph Tugler for the season, while J’Wan Roberts continues to play through a lower body injury. This looks particularly troublesome against an enormous Duke lineup, standing tenth in effective height.
Additionally, Houston cannot shoot the ball, making them reliant on offensive rebounds. The Cougars rank 183rd in effective field goal percentage, while Duke comes in 18th. While Houston remains excellent on the offensive glass, it also opens them to foul trouble. Houston ranks 330th in fouls committed, which only raises more concerns given their lack of depth.
As for Duke, Kyle Filipkowski and Mark Mitchell stand 7-0 and 6-9, giving Duke height and rebounding advantages. The Blue Devils also rank 11th in the country in three point percentage. Jeremy Roach and Jared McCain both shoot over 40%, while Tyrese Proctor comes in at 37%. Ultimately, Duke possesses more ways to score and fewer risks in this Sweet 16 matchup.
Best Sweet 16 Pick & Prediction: Duke +4 (-112) at DraftKings
NC State-Marquette Sweet 16 Odds
NC State: +235 | Marquette: -290
NC State: +6.5: -108 | Marquette: -6.5: -112
Over 151.1: -108 | Under 151.5: -112
When: 7:09 p.m. ET
March Madness Odds via DraftKings
NC State-Marquette Picks & Sweet 16 Betting Prediction
After winning the ACC in order to punch their ticket to the big dance, NC State defeated an injured Texas Tech and lame duck Oakland team to find their way to the Sweet 16. Conversely, Marquette knocked off Western Kentucky and Colorado to reach this point. Overall, Marquette ranks 17th in adjusted offense and 18th on defense, while NC State comes in 39th on offense and 92nd on defense.
Playing behind a far superior resume, Marquette holds almost every advantage over NC State. Marquette sits at 15th in effective field goal percentage, while NC State ranks 159th. The Golden Eagles rank 58th in three point percentage, with Tyler Kolek and Kam Jones both shooting at least 40% from beyond the arc. NC State ranks 220th in three point defense, providing Marquette their first advantage.
From there, Marquette also holds advantages inside with Oso Ighodaro over old school big man DJ Burns. A liability until the ACC Tournament, Burns should be out of place against a hyper athletic big man in Ighodaro. NC State also ranks 129th in interior defense, which clashes against Marquette’s 12th ranked interior offense.
On the offensive end, NC State does have some scorers and DJ Horne shoots over 40% from three. However, Marquette will press almost the whole game, which allows them to generate the 20th most turnovers in the country. Despite NC State’s recent run, Marquette simply has too much firepower in this matchup.
Best Sweet 16 Pick & Prediction: Marquette -6.5 (-112) at DraftKings
Gonzaga-Purdue Sweet 16 Odds
Gonzaga: +190 | Purdue: -230
Gonzaga: +5.5: -112 | Purdue: -5.5: -108
Over 152: -112 | Under 152: -108
When: 7:39 p.m. ET
March Madness Odds via DraftKings
Gonzaga-Purdue Picks & Sweet 16 Betting Prediction
After falling to Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament semi-finals, Purdue knocked off Grambling State and Utah State to reach the Sweet 16. On the other side, Gonzaga defeated Saint Mary’s to win the West Coast Conference before handling McNeese State and an injured Kansas to get here. Overall, Purdue ranks third in adjusted offense and 16th on defense, while Gonzaga comes in fifth on offense and 42nd on defense.
On paper, Gonzaga has a roster capable of hanging with Purdue. The Bulldogs stand 51st in effective height and play with three big men in Graham Ike, Anton Watson, and Ben Gregg, who all stand at least 6-8. Unfortunately, all four will cede at least six inches to Zach Edey inside.
The national player of the year for the second time, Edey presents a unique mismatch for any team. He helps Purdue generate the fourth most fouls, while scoring at a hyper-efficient rate himself. Even if Gonzaga attempts to dedicate extra resources to Edey, Purdue ranks first in the country in three point percentage. Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer, Mason Gillis, and Myles Colvin all shoot north of 40% from three, while Lance Jones checks in at 36%. Even with Gonzaga’s recent success, this line remains too light.
Best Sweet 16 Pick & Prediction: Purdue -5.5 (-108) at DraftKings
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